Waterfront Will Deliver What Wellingtonians Want

Wellington Waterfront Limited Executive Chair Fran Wilde has described as “spoilers” a lobby group attempting to stall progress on development of the waterfront.

“The latest demands of Waterfront Watch are just a continuation of a long saga that will cost ratepayers more money, in order to advance individual agendas and personal tastes”, she said in response to a leaflet the group has just issued.

“Following the upheaval of Variation 17 some years ago, Wellington’s Waterfront Framework was carefully drafted, widely consulted upon and then sent to the Wellington City Council for approval by a Waterfront Leadership Group that included, ironically, Waterfront Watch’s Mr Shelton.

“There is nothing in development plans for the waterfront that contradicts or deviates from that Framework’s vision, which is at the core of all waterfront planning and activity.

“The plans will fulfil the vision of the Framework to create a special place that welcomes all people to live, work and play in beautiful and inspiring spaces and architecture.  The outcome will also better connect our city with the sea and preserve our heritage for future generations.”

“In contrast, Waterfront Watch’s vision is for wide, open areas exposed to the elements, very few intimate spaces for small scale or quiet activity, a waterfront largely unpopulated at night except around the bars and restaurants and very few activities catering for the diverse needs of the whole Wellington community, especially young families,” Wilde said.

“It’s time to get on with it, stop this prolonged relitigation, lift the designs off the drawing board and get them built.  Then we will have the waterfront that Wellingtonians have already told us they want.”

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